2004 1st Annual Conference

The 1st annual conference of the Minnesota Association of Floodplain Managers convened in Rochester, Minnesota, on November 3-5, 2004. We were privileged to hear from top brass at FEMA, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 

The success of the conference was noted by attendees: 

• Field Trip: "Very Interesting" and “Have enjoyed the tours for the last two years” 
    
• Workshops: “ The instructors were very well informed about the subject matter”
    
• What Did they like best about the conference: "Networking with other professionals" 
     

Letter from our President

2004 was another successful year for the Minnesota Association of Floodplain Managers. Attendees at the conference attendees rated it very highly. Comments indicated that networking with other floodplain professional was the top reason for the high ratings. The conference was bustling with idea sharing, dialogue and networking through not only the conference program itself, but during the field trip, meals, and social mixers.

Other valuable items from the conference include:

• Floodplain managers had open discussions with top brass from FEMA, US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 

• FEMA representatives got a chance to hear how the Map Modernization dollars are being spent and the benefits to the communities. 

• Floodplain managers increased their understanding of the floodplain program and effective floodplain management.

• Floodplain managers learned how other communities are managing their floodplains.

• Emergency Managers were able to get critical information on how to implement DMA 2000 in their communities.

• Participants on the tour of the Winona flood control project saw a operating example of a large-scale mitigation project

Although the budgets for cities and counties were limited again this year, we maintained about the same attendance as last year. Registration for the conference exceeded 100 people and sponsors offered financial assistance. In addition, 20 vendors demonstrated their expertise and discussed floodplain management issues. 

We had another aggressive agenda with one full-day of workshops, training and field trips and an additional day-and-a-half of plenary and concurrent sessions. Sessions included presentations and panel discussions from consultants, federal and state agencies and elected officials. 

The conference succeeded in implementing one of MnAFPM’s core missions “to provide a forum where local, state, federal and private agencies can come together and discuss issues important to them on an equal level was alive and well".

We are planning to make some changes to the conference in 2005 to draw members from the western part of the state and perhaps from our neighbors in North and South Dakota. The 2nd Annual MnAFPM Conference will be held in Moorhead, MN in mid-September. The focus of the conference will be on FEMA’s Map Modernization efforts and current floodplain management issues. In addition we’ll continue to offer field trips, the CFM exam, and social and networking opportunities. 

A BIG thanks to all of our members for your support. Please spread the word about the benefits of our association. 

If you are not yet part of our Association, please join us at one of our luncheons or conferences. I’m sure that you will find it to be a great asset as you seek to manage your community’s floodplains.

It is my hope that the partnerships that MnAFPM promotes will make a positive change for our environment and the communities and constituents that we serve.

Sincerely,


Nancy Johnson Dent
MnAFPM Chair 2004

   
Conference Photos

Al Bataglia, Director HSEM, describes the process for a Presidential Disaster Declaration		Ed Buikema Director FEMA Region V, describes FEMA's role during the Disaster Relief process
Comedian Scott Novotny gets enthusiastic during his show		Chad Berginnis, ASFPM, describes the No Adverse Impact initiative and its benefits for floodplain management
Relaxing and networking after the day's events		Attendees discuss floodplain issues with vendors and network with other floodplain managers
The Mayor for the City of Winona (Jerry Miller) kicked off the Field Tour of the Winona Flood Control Project by welcoming the group and providing an overview of the history of the City of Winona and its relation to the Mississippi River.		Mike Davis (MN DNR Mississippi River Geologist / Biologist) provided an overview of the geomorphologic history of the formation of the Mississippi River valley and bluffs from Garvin Heights City Park, which provided a vantage point to overlook the entire valley.
The Director of Public Works for the City of Winona (Keith Nelson) and Melissa Gulan (USACE) led the group through a tour of the various flood control features protecting the City from Mississippi River floodwaters. Pictured above: Keith Nelson describes the operation and maintenance of the Lake Winona outlet and pumping station.

2004 Conference Program (PDF document, 824 Kb)

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